To the world, she was an icon. To me, she was my mother. On the fourth anniversary of that dark day, indelible in the history of Pakistan, when our greatest leader and our best hope was ripped from our lives and our future, I am flooded with emotion. She accomplished so much, but I am most focused on what she might have accomplished had she lived. Like a Pakistan that the Quaid-i-Azam could have lived longer to shape, like the dream she never lived to write, we can never know what might have been.

What we do know is that there are 86,000 more schools because of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. That, under her government foreign investment quadrupled; energy production doubled; exports boomed. Under her government, 100,000 female health workers fanned out across the country, bringing health care, nutrition, pre and postnatal care, to millions of our poorest citizens. It was under her government that women were admitted as judges to the nation’s courts, that women’s police departments were established to help women who suffered from domestic violence and a women’s bank was established to give micro loans to women to start small businesses. It was under Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s leadership that cell phones, fibre optics and international media were introduced, and the Pakistani software industry blossomed. And it was on her very first day as prime minister, that all political prisoners were freed, unions legalised and the press uncensored. It was an amazing record of accomplishment, made even more remarkable by the constraint of aborted tenures, by constant pressure from a hostile establishment and presidents with the power to sack elected governments.

She never had a free and fair election. She was always under siege. She would say: “We were in government but not in power.” Yet she delivered so much. And we can only dream of what might have been had she lived. One thing I am certain of — three-quarters of a billion Muslim women all around the world would have felt empowered, would have rejected limits on their opportunity to learn, to earn, to grow and to lead. Almost two billion Muslims around the world would have seen a modern face of Islam belying the caricature of our great religion in the West and the demagoguery of the jihadists within our own ranks.

Modern, moderate, tolerant, pluralistic and, above all, democratic Islam, would have had not just a face, but a voice, a true leader not afraid to challenge dictators, oppressors, bigots or terrorists. That is what we lost on December 27, 2007. That day the country was on fire. It was ready to rip apart at the seams. With my father’s slogan, “Pakistan Khappay”, Pakistan was saved from certain disintegration.

With the slogan, “Democracy is the best revenge”, we chose my mother’s vision of peaceful resolution over violent retribution. We could have demanded a revolution. However, my mother taught me to believe in evolution, not revolution. When she landed in Lahore in 1986, the millions of people who greeted her could have been ordered to storm the dictator’s palace and take Pakistan back by force. Yet the PPP has always been careful to distinguish between the army as an institution and the dictator who abuses his position. We have always believed in a strong military under the control of an elected government. Similarly, following the judicial murder of my grandfather, we chose to condemn the verdict and those behind it, but never ransacked the Supreme Court.

We have always supported an independent judiciary and would never let the abuses of individual judges in the past sabotage our mission of establishing a free, impartial and independent judiciary. This is why we knew in 2007 that we had to distinguish between Musharraf and the army as an institution. A strong military is needed in order to protect our territorial borders and defeat the internal cancer of Islamist extremism. The politicisation of this institution under dictatorship engages it in arenas where it has no place and, as a result, weakens its ability to perform its primary function.

Today, we stand by the same principles: in reconciliation and not violent revolution. The evolution of a transition to democracy has already borne fruit. Under the military dictatorship, when our brave soldiers were martyred by terrorists, they were buried in secrecy in the dead of night. It is only once the elected government gave ownership to the fight against extremists and made it Pakistan’s war that we can bury our soldiers with honour and proudly announce their martyrdom for their country. It is only under a democratic government that Pakistan finally stood up to demand respect from the United States and to do what the dictator with all his military might could not — evacuate the Shamsi airbase. We have onerous challenges before us, but to face those, we need to secure our foundation. The democratic government, through the National Finance Commission Award and Eighteenth Amendment, gives the smaller provinces a stake in their country and a stake in their own resources, which under dictatorship were exploited by the centre, creating resentment against the federation. Yet even this is not enough. The push for economic and energy reform must go forward, as must our promise to build a Pakistan where education is the path to empowerment.

Had we chosen the path of revolution over evolution on that fateful December 27, both the army and the Peoples Party would have been weakened. That would have left the only other armed group, the terrorists, with the opportunity to exploit the situation and seize control of our country. We must remain committed to the evolution of a democratic Pakistan and reject the calls for confrontation between institutions. My mother died fighting for a Peaceful, Prosperous and Progressive Pakistan. I will never give up on my mother’s Pakistan. I will never give up on the woman who sacrificed herself so Pakistan could be free. Her dreams are now my dreams — that is my promise to you; that is my promise to her.

We are with you Bilawal… and we are glad that for the first time in history of Pakistan, democracy has completed so much time.. Your great mother will always be missed… We want evolution not revolution :)

Wait? isnt Pakistan free? arent you guys in the government? have you even been in the streets of Pakistan? Have you even seen what the people are like here? Your Mother, your grandfather talked about “roti, kapra, makaan”, the people of Pakistan gave you a chance, why didnt you and your father and the govt. didnt give people what they wanted? Why, despite paying bills and heaps of YOUR GOVT’s taxes, we are still facing loadshedding (even in winters) and gas shortages and water shortages? Was this what your mother wanted for the country? Where are the basic rights? where is the law? Why havent you guys implemented it?

I’m sorry to say but the People of Pakistan gave you a chance to change everything, but you guys went into the opposite direction. Have a nice day.Recommend

This is the most enlightening article i have seen. To the critics, plz take it as it is. Bilawal is the hopw we have now. He is also the youth and has all the right to enter politics as a normal citizen of Pakistan.

Bilawal, Inshallah Pakistan will be amongst the strongest nations in the world. I believe in this government and I strongly believe in democracy. Your mother and grandfather were indeed idealistic characters that this country could unfortunately not fully have benefited from, but we still have a ray of hope of continuation of her hopes and dreams through you.

i support the notion of Evolution of Democracy! the Bhutto legacy will continue and there’s still hope to have a developed prosperous Pakistan. I salute Bilawal,Bakhtawar and Aseefa. An irreplaceable loss and yet they are adhered to soil! I and hundred thousands of others would support the Pro-democracy policy of PPP-always!

Beta, we as Pakistanis are very sorry and ashamed of the way your mother was brutally and cowardly murdered. The large silent majority of Pakistanis do understand your pains and sacrifices even if powerful elite do not. That is the reason many do not like democracy and are afraid to wait for the next elections and want the backdoor raid on democracy. Like ZAB, BB was nationalist and did not bow down to the guns totting generals. Nation would always remain thankful and indebted to your mother. The sacrifices of ZAB and BB has made PPP a truly national party that no other party can claim. PPP does not need lotas and political nomads like the others. Recommend

Excellent article bilawal!! Keep up the awesome work! We have always supported the bhuttos n will always do so! Shaheed mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has always been our ideal! She is truly a great lady! We will not get blinded by false speeches and ppl! Jeay Bhutto!Recommend

I am sorry for the loss of your mother. No mother or person or leader should deserve a fate as hers. She was a good leader. Your grandfather was a great leader too.
However, I will say that PPP is one excuse of a government. We are in the worst whirlpool of energy crisis, corruption, terrorism, inflation and what not. Recommend

‎2nd para: Amazing how all those amazing achievements sum up/translate to zero. A massive gap in there. Makes you think.
3rd para: I thought you lot did not allow people to be ‘Islam kay thaikay daar’s
4th para: @’Modern, moderate, tolerant, pluralistic and, above all, democratic Islam’ – Is the rest of Islam or the version earlier than PPP, none of the above? Nice sweep.
5th: ‘peaceful resolution over violent retribution’ – beautiful words. Very beautiful. Try telling that to someone from Swat or Waziristan or Bajaur.
7th: ‘gave ownership to the fight against extremists’ aka your own people. Killed tens of thousands, and displaced millions, using their tax money. I this one is a globally unprecedented achievement. Maybe you can take this one!
Trying to using some nice figures from the past and ignoring the current mess, is like a job applicant who had an A in matric but has accumulated some twenty ‘supplian’ in his BS degree.Recommend

Mr. Chairman, my family has voted for the PPP for the past 40 years.
However, since Benazir’s departure, it’s hard for me to vote for the PPP again, especially with how it has treated us, the people of Balochistan, in the past 4 years.

A very wel focused article on Pakistan core issues while controling his emotions for his mother (which is a biologial bond). Weldone Bilawal, Brilliant!!! U’ve proved to be raised by a brilliant guidance of a brilliant mother Bibi shaheed who is a legend..
U’ve promised to ur country & ur mother and we promise U that U will always find us around U & supporting U to make Pakistan free from the hidden hands of enemies who never let our beloved country to prosper & to be a real democratic & developed country.

You mother was a true leader, but now looking at the record corruption of current govt, we are very disappointed from PPP. If your party really wants to serve the govt then why your govt do not bring tough anti corruptions laws, and a judicial system where every person get justice quick and fair. May Allah rest her soul in peace and give your leadership capability to think sanely.

“It was under Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s leadership that cell phones, fibre optics and international media were introduced, and the Pakistani software industry blossomed”

I challenge the value of this statement, Pakistan’s software industry has never blossomed, what ever real progress was made was under the dictator Musharraf (how ironic)f. The media was never free under her and she used it as a propaganda tool. Any real media freedoms were again given by a dictator. And what kind of achievement is saying that “Fibre opitcs were introduced”?

My heartiest condolences to you Bilawal. For a SON, nothing can be more important than a mother. The grief, you have gone through by missing your mother has no match. I pray for her getting highest status in Jannah.

Having Said that; What do you guys think you are? Are you somehow forced to believe that we are a crowd of sheep that can be scolded by Govt. of PPP with their sticks. Tell me honestly, the damage his govt. has done to Pakistan, can you being a person who has self respect ever come to Pakistan. I’m sorry to say, this is not the Pakistan for which your mother struggled and gave her life. We are not even sure if she wanted good for Pakistan or not because we are abused mentally and physically by this worst government.

Man, you don’t know it feels to travel in Public Transport, how it feels to stand in line so that you can get a pack of 2KG flour, You don’t even know that how a poor Pakistani manages to buy one dozen eggs for 108 RS, yeah it is not even 1 pound for you but for most of us, this is the budget for whole day.

Shame on this Govt. that I had to say such things on death anniversary of BB. May her sou rest in peace. Recommend

PPP won the last election due to the sympathy votes of the population. It was given the chance by the people in the name of BB. This current government has miserably failed in solving any of the issues faced by the nation and has lost its credibility. Just using ZAB or BB’s name shall not ensure victory this time.
The Feudal politics is now over !!
glorifying the long gone PPP leaders will do no good !! this country needs sincere leadership.Recommend

Ok, agreed with evolution bit. Instead of dreams of some lofty hot bloodied revolutions which can backfire with equal potential we need patient evolutionary development to let democracy seep in our political system. Also agreed with the fact that had Benazir Bhutto been alive, we could have hoped for a much better future. But for us, the general public, Benazir Bhutto and PPP now appear entirely different entities. Quite frankly, don’t expect us to equate the likes of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto with the current PPP leadership. While they had enlightened vision and the political spark to achieve these ideals, presently no one in this party is parallel to that-not even by a long shot.
And being a student, the times of obstinate dictators and seemingly slack politicians suited us more. What has PPP tenure given us…shrinking of university funds and cuts on scholarships.

No doubt, she was matchless as far as her political wisdom and vision are concerned. But the PPP has not performed enough as was required. Hope the PPP follows the democratic ideology of Benazir Bhutto seriously.

I wonder when people will wake up and see that neither is benazir alive nor ZAB !!! both were good leaders but now they are no more !! we have to move on and rebuild our country!
i hope i don’t hear jokes like inheriting a democratic party anymore. its time for change and its time to forget the two tried and tested name in politics the Bhuttos and the Sharifs.

You grandfather is say it be ok for Pakistani to eat grass and get atom bomb.we is still eat grass but we is got the bomb. i is now want for stop eat grass and want for eat chiken and meat and fish and butter and sweets.please do this for us all.

I don’t think you will get any chance in near future to come in power. Your party has wasted the opportunity badly. I am extremely disappointment with the performance of your Current Govt. Army and Right wing forces are very happy on the PPP’s failure and it is all because of inability of PPP to deliver what was expected.

Appreciate u r mothers sacrifice and u rz too in terms of loss of a beautiful relation…….however mr bilawal u dnt knw hw to speak da national language of the people of this country , u dnt knw the slightest of da daily hardships faced by ppl of this country but as usual u r being paratrooped as the chairman and fans of bhutto are lauding u as their leader hw * democratic * but still these naive ppl will go on with their naivetes and the likes of u will forever be da masters of our destiny…bilawal do sit wd commons like us who face loadshedding water shortages da basic human needs for survival , do sit wd a student whose rezlts have been tempered wd due to da gross negligence of da staffers………all this bbale gabble abt democracy martial law establishment etc means to ppl like u and da drawing room political strategist …v da commons need minute survival amenities on daily basis ….aap sub baray logo ki wady batay ……
Guess u wont understand da last line. Recommend

Did it occur to you that the day BB was assassinated there were others who lost their lives. How about spearing a thought for them. This country is not a kingdom for you to inherit. THIS COUNTRY ONLY HAD ONE TRUE LEADER “QUAID-E-AZAM”Recommend

Bilawal: I hope you won´t follow the footsteps of your parents.
And I certainly hope that your fathers government ends soon. Last I pray that May Allah forgive her sins and grant her eternal peace…amenRecommend

Dear Bilawal,
Do you really believe what your party claims? “DEMOCRACY is the best revenge.” Are you sure you are not running a dynastic political party? Do you really think, that someone your age, with your lack of experience in politics should be the chairman of a party that comprises many veterans in the field? Do you think it is justified to take over the affairs of a political party just because your mother was the chairman when she was alive? Is this not how kings in a MONARCHY behaved rather than leaders in a DEMOCRACY?
My futile comment is probably not going to change anything, so I will end with saying that for the sake of my country, I really sincerely hope that you are a good guy.
Pakistan Zindabad.Recommend

Bilawal, your mother was a courageous woman, but her shahadat is not an excuse for the worst government that Pakistan has seen so far, in the name of democracy. I mean, have you ever looked at the actual state of affairs?? your father and other PPP leaders are only crying out loud against “saazish against democracy”, but have they ever tried to focus on the real issues and how to improve them. What about Pak railways? what about our airlines, and above all, what about power crises?? What solutions have been suggested?? NONE! Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is from my family. Recruiting such non serious, under talented and above all, blindly corrput politicians on such important portfolios has played havoc with our nation already! If you seriously want to run Pak on Quaid’s lines, im afraid but you will have to go against your own father! At the moment, we all stand for Imran Khan…….Recommend

All the Cham-chas in the comment section praising bilawal are a bunch of losers. Do you forget was his father has done to our beloved country? Are you people delusional? Do you think there is still room for these traitors to sit at the helm of this country again.Recommend

Stop playing politics on your mother! PPP is in power from last 4 years show me the progress. Zinda ha BB Zinda ha is not the answer to all the problems facing Pakistan. A 22 year old boy with no experience in politics is the chairman of the biggest political party in the country.. Is that the democracy and merit you will bring in Pakistan. Stop fooling people around and concentrate on your studies.

May Allah protect you from harm beta ji…harm coming from extremists who proudly claim responsibility for their atrocious acts ..and those who prefer to stay camouflaged in their goody goody getups ..May both kinds be exposed and dealt with…the way evil doers shd be dealth with..May He help you follow your mum and grand father’s footsteps aiming to make Pakistan Quaid e Azam’s Pakistan ..BUT I pray you have a much longer and joyous life..I miss your mother’s presence in this world beyond words..so ,,,can only imagine how you as a family..never get dishearted because of haters’ comments ..they are just scared of you and what ppl’s love for you can do their plans!!!

All things apart,but the PPP is the only voice of sanity in Pakistan….Otherwise, Taliban, jhangvi barbarians,Imran taliban khan,and Rana Sanaulah all share the same beast like instincts in Pakistan.We may differ in thoughts but the common denominator osf sanity has always been the same……PPP is the only voice of sanity till now

Just a personal story to share about the rule of law under the current leadership.
My father, who i adore despite all his flaws, took many loans for our hospital which he was unable to pay because of the lavish lifestyle we had gotten used to. we were unable, actually unwilling, to give up all the toys “necessary” for our status. in the end, under this government, and the obliging ministers always willing to look the other way if they are ‘compensated adequately’ , we managed to get our loans written off.
I am not proud of what we did. i turned to Islam after my marriage failed and i now see the error of my ways.
However, although i accept my faults, i blame the corrupt leadership as co sharer in my sins as the fruit always rots from the top.
I hope other doctors whose duty should be to save lives are not mired in this quicksand of corruption and lust for money.

You piece of poetry, do you even know whats happening? Hell, you dont even know the problem. Wait, do you even know what ‘problem’ means? ?
But this comment wont make you cut the crap, so its for the others reading this. Whats going on guys? Is there a plan or is everything on Inshahallah mode?

Sorry Bilawal, but you should’ve considered that the people who would read this are the residents of Pakistan and can see what has your daddy’s govt. given them.
“With my father’s slogan, “Pakistan Khappay”, Pakistan was saved from certain disintegration.” really?? we know that you know it all, please don’t assume that we’re THAT blind to believe.

All my prayers with your mother, may Allah rest her soul in Peace but i sincerely hope that you din mean whatever you wrote in your article because if you did then that means you are quite far from reality, quite disconnected from the people of pakistan, from the bitter truth…. look around mate, people in the government, which unfortunately is your party, have literally ruined each and every institution of this country…Democracy is the best revenge seems like a brutal revenge for obvious reasons… how can the fate of the biggest political party be decided by someone’s will, where is democracy in this and with all due respect, was it really wise to leave the party to someone as controversial as your father? I wish you get the courage to admit and correct both your mother’s and grandfather’s mistakes!

Thnx Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, v Thought MBB Shaheed is our last hope but when u have to choose that dangerous n trouble full path really v people got a great hope, v thought our dream ll not fulfill but now v sure our brave Brother Son of Great Mother,great grand father,great father ll lead us, Now our Struggle for a Mature democracy ll be Continue because of r great leadership.
Qadam Barrhao Bilawal Bhutto Hum tumhare sath hen.

Every government, be it either Nawaz Sharif or Benazir Bhuttto claims to have improved education, but looking around me I have seen no improvement.
The 18th amendment if anything was a detriment to higher education, with the disbanding of the HEC. This is probably one of the few bright spots in education, it functions properly and every rupee can be traced to a grant or scholarship.Only after a public outcry and vocal campaign was the effort halted.
We have vast number of ghost schools and education has been found to be one of our most corrupt sectors. The 18th amendment promises free primary education to all but making statements is easy.
Can we have impartial statistics from someone?
The government spends too little on education … period. What we do spend is often badly used or lost in corruption.
Why is so little spent? Because the rich refuse to pay in taxes, in particular the feudal lords.
The PPP will not tax their own members, often from interior Sindh, the poorest parts of the county due to feudalism.
The PPP has been in power 3 years. What has been the change in education. Since Musharraf the HEC budget only fell, the percentage we spend on education has fallen.

Is this democracy delivering? Could technocrats have done better?
I think so.
No more “visions” please, let’s do some work and improve our plight instead of making tall claims that no one can verify.

Pakistani politicians make all sorts of ridiculous claims. Often their ‘facts’ are more fiction,
Nawaz Sharif makes similar claims.
If they were all true we’d have an economy bigger than China’s!!!

Please use independent sources when making claims like 86000 more teachers.
How effective is the independent power producers scheme dreamt up by the PPP? The PPP refuses to build the Kala Bagh dam even though the external donors ask us to consider building it!! Health here is mediocre, even people with money like Zardari have to fly aboad, what about the poor?
Musharraf unleashed this media frenzy, for better or worse.
I doubt Benazir had anything to with the software industry that’s all the private sector.
Fibre optic cables would have probably be laid even if Zia was in power. I very much doubt the PPP had anything to do with the cell phone revolution, that is touching even the poorest countries in Africa. You sound like Nawaz Sharif taking credit for the nuclear bomb.
The economy did not grow significantly during the reign of Benazir. This is fact, check the stats, so claims like exports boomed sound invented. Musharraf could claim that duing his tenure exports rose from 7 billion to about 18 billion.

Pakistan signed first fiber optics agreements under BB’s tenure, first IT institutions or departments were setup in universities under her rule and she ordered print material to be free for all to import as opposed to Zia era when you need permission to import it.

I hope your challenge to the value of the statement has been answered!

You guys need to get a life, there are plenty of PPP supporters, alas this is the biggest weakness of anti PPP folks, you think we are on payroll, we do this because of a vision we believe in, pro bono publico!

Dear Bilawal, I am a resident of Gilgit – Baltistan, based in Islamabad. Farhan Gilgiti is my pen name.

I am almost of your age. I salute your courage in the face of adversaries. Those who comment here under fake names would even not stand for 3 days in your position.

Since you have talked about evolution, and rightly so, I think you should set a precedent by providing the nation with a practical example.

I, as a loyal party worker and ideological supporter, request you to offer the party’s Chairmanship to Barrister Aitzaz Ahsen or Senator Raza Rabbani. These two men of character, grace, charisma and experience, have all that is required to run PPP. Let’s not make PPP a hostage to the belief that none except a particular family can run it.

You can work with them as an icon of the party’s founders and as son of the great woman who lost her life because of her ideals, and the great man who suffered for more than decade in prisons despite of not a single case being proven against him.

As a leader of PPP’s youth wing, if you do well, the people of Pakistan and the workers of PPP will themselves elect you as Chairman of the party. We will never forget the sacrifices that you family has made for Pakistan and democracy.The blood of your grand father and mother will never be forgotten.

By democratizing the party and giving due respect to senior leaders like Barrister Aitzaz, Senator Rabbani, Naheed Khan, Safdar Abbasi and Israr Shah, you will neither lose grace nor importance. You will emerge as a serious statesman, capable of making popular and bold decisions.

I am really touched by this article as I wont understand the pain and suffering that you have gone through. But you have to be a realist and have a look around the current situation in the country. I sincerely hope and pray that you do not come in power as the current damage your party has done to the country cannot be curbed. Since you are the grandson of the great ZAB and son of the great BB does not give you a right to be the next leader of this nation. If you could have potrayed you and your mothers vision to your Great Dad our country would not be in this hell hole.
Pakistan Khappay !!!
p.s I bet this article wasnt even written by you. Cheers!!!

You start off by saying “To the world, she was an icon. To me, she was my mother.” and for a second you’ve got me believing this is going to be a heart warming article about what a great woman she was, about how she made you the man you are, or something along those lines. As I read further, I realized this is nothing more than an unnecessary attempt at campaigning.

Maybe today, on the death anniversary of thousands of people, one of whom is your mother, we should be grateful for the loved ones who are still in our lives, and pray for those who aren’t.

Did you ever asked your dad why BBs murderers have not been arrested yet? If yes, do you mind sharing what he said? N prince bilawal zardari, pakistan is a democratic country, you better stay in dubai n hang out with other princes there.
Thanks.

The ratio of ‘recommended’ comments between pro & anti PPP tells you a lot about what readers think of bilawal and his party’s performance thus far. The other argument can be that not as many pro PPP read this article, which is even more shameful considering this is their co-chairman’s expressing his feelings at an important occasion.

Bilawal we as a nation are with you. Your mother will always be remembered as the first female muslim prime minister of the world. She was a legend and gifted this nation twice with democracy and saved us from long lasting marshal laws. I am sure she injected her knowledge her charisma and her way to live life for others in you while your upbringing. Plus this govt is highly appreciated that it is still intact despite the troubles it inherited and bravely fights against terrorism as it has ended the episode of suicide bombing Alhumdulillah. AJJ BHI BB ZINDA HAI. May her soul rest in peace(Ameen)

It was nice to read your article on this sad day. I cried probably on her tragic death as much as I cried on death of my father. We had great hopes from her as she was true national leader. She was wife , mother ,PM and has to split her time between jjailed husband, kids and party. She was brave person .
As you read thes comments here you can feel the visceral hatred of some people who have commented in response to your article. Don’t get discouraged. Politics will have ups and downs and that wil make you diamond.
ppp has many problems but we still think PPP is still best option against bigots and Zia legacy which has infested country.

If you read this I have one request please make very strong media team. There are 101 answers to every criticism in a logical way to PP policies and performance. Take personal responsibility. War against these haters is very long and may not be over in one generation.

I personally have never benefited from PP directly or indirectly though I have risen from extreme poverty.
Pleas ethink of poor people of country many of them loved your mother. To tell you small story how much people loved your mother. One person asked a begging woman whom you will vote “she said BB” the person told her that she has not given you even bread why are you voting for her. She replied that” God will give me bread not BB but I will vote for her.
Poor people never forget even one kind act for generations.
God bless you and keep you safe.

And what about your father’s government right now? Mr. 10 percent? He has disgraced this country time and again. Stop fooling the masses. If your father’s government wanted to, they would have evacuated Shamsi airbase a long time back. Have they not been in power for the last 40 odd months? As much as I support democracy, your father’s government, by being corrupt has only set us back.

I met your mother on three occasions in Northern California. The day of her murder was
amongst one of the saddest days of not just my life but for Pakistan. She was hope
personified. After that day I changed too.
On your holding the mantle of the PPP now my advice to you is still “DON’T”
since your grandfather and your uncles are all gone too. Many Bhutto hopes have been
eliminated. Your opposition is just too powerful and we have had enough Bhutto lives lost.
I am sorry for being so pessimistic. But I was one of the unfortunate ones who asked her
to go back. To this day I am very sorry for being such an idiot!

PPP is one of the biggest national party, who has dishard workers and activists. It’s an asset for country. But there should be rigorous and effective mechanism in party to filter out incompetent, and corrupt people. Though I agree that 27th Dec was turning point and Zardari’s ” Pakistan Kapi” slogan changed the situation, otherwise situation in Pakistan esp in Sindh should have been much worse than Baluchistan.A new insurgency. Injustice against Sindh should stop and PPP should also give people of Sindh due attention and their rights.Otherwise it will loose its integrity.

She indeed was a Great woman. The nation is divided into Pro/Anti Bhutto politics (by the grace of dictator general Zia ul Haq) and Whatever Great Z.A.Bhutto and your mother achieved can not be digested by anti-Bhutto elements (Thats their fate). Keep it up Bilawal, Bhutto legecy is your real power.

I am not surprised to read a dogmatic statement of political achievement. It is blinded by a belief in destiny and smacks of righteous indignation that is stripped of all that Pakistan has gone through in the past few years. Lets start with the basics Bilawal: you “Dad’s” government couldn’t meet its promises to eliminate the power crisis in Pakistan. Under his misguided reign our relations with the U.S were mishandled, the economy tanked, and the rupee is in the toilet. Being a “Son” or a “Husband” is no qualification. Go get yourself a real job and an education before you start lecturing us about “what ought to be”.

Your father is doing best in the present political scenario…PPP IS the only voice of sanity in Pakistan…..Thats why all the right wingers have ganged against Zardari…….Bilawal if now you cant reaach to masses….everything is doomed….YOU have to perspire in this culture otherwise the people will bleed at the hands of barbarians

Unfortunately, you and papa dearest have undone all work your mother had done in the past. During her tenure, exports boomed; what about now? The economy? Lets not even go there.. Jobs? Foreign investments? Education? The very SBO’s your mother helped set up have been forced to close because of extortion money being demanded from owners, leading to cases of kidnapping and in some cases murders.

What positive difference has your party made in this tenure, the tenure that you and Mr. Zardari inherited as a result of your mother’s death. Wake up and smell the coffee Mr. Chairman, you’ve earned nothing but hate from the people of Pakistan in the last four years and I don’t know if you’re either led to believe otherwise

What saddens me most of all is how people blindly believe in you just because you’re a “Bhutto”. As if that makes the least amount of difference to your intellectual abilities. If you are ever given a chance again by these idiots to lead the country, I wouldn’t even want to imagine what destruction you could cause to our country, if it could even be called that after your father’s done with it.Recommend

The scion of the monarchical dynasty of the country pledges the continuation of the dark era. It is really disappointing to read comments supporting a ‘nobody’ with a Bhutto numeral. Then we claim to be educated and enlightened sections of Pakistan… What a shame!!!

first of all my kind condolences for the loss of the most beautiful relationship. no doubt your mother was a great leader and your grandfather as well,but dear brother what the present PPP government has done could not be appreciated on any grounds. Go and sit with those poor people instead of listening the views of your party, then you will realise how much people love the present government. Sorry to say, but your present leadership is not following even 1% of your mother’s and your grandfather’s visions. railway, PIA and many other institutions are devastated in the present govt. There is electricity (even in winter) and gas load shedding which you cannot realize because you are not there with an ordinary man who is facing all these problems so please do not equate the sacrifices of your mother with your current leadership.
MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE….

Bilawal, sounds like you have no clue about whats going in Pakistan…… guess what the bedtime stories your mom told u about herself and her government were….not exactly true and needless to say…. don’t trust what your dad tells you…..else you will one day be writing an article about him and terming him the greatest president & icon…..this guy is literally destroying us Recommend

Zardari is the best leader pakistan can have in the present times.he is level headed and clear thinking.he is also pragmatic.he also seems to be much more mederate than many others today.

pakistan will be worst off with imran khan and she will become a full time openly declared terrorist state.we know his soft corner for mullas and jihadis.with imran khan at helm pakistan will be worst off than egypt sooner than later.

If all the rich in the country contributed towards the treasury on a pro rata basis and if the money was used appropriately, Pakistan could actually be saved. My question to you Bilawal is would you pay from your personal wealth to save the country? Prove that you are a true saviour of the country. Lead by example.

Only Quaid -e-Azam was the greatest leader and he desrves this title,only and only.
As far as far PPPP is concerned now it is going to be family party not peoples party.
We salute Benazir because she was woman and contributed waht you have mentioned in your article.Recommend

My family literally worshipped your mom and your granpa. But unfortunately your father has bad companions and incompetent team, the only hope that remains intact for Pakistan now is Imran Khan and his lot less incompetent team. May Allah bless BB’s soul she must be turning in her grave when she sees what her Pakistan has become.

Bilawal Zardari,
Come down and see the condition of people in street of Pakistan… Situation is not as good as you wrote in your article. We ask you , your PPP and your father to have mercy on people of Pakistan. Your services are no more required by this nation..

Evolution over revolution. Hmmmm… I wonder what this article is hinting at. BB no doubt was an asset to Pakistan’s political scene, however after she left us, this country has spiraled downwards every second due to negligence and corruption, and obviously the blame does fall on the current government. We need a change and we DO need a revolution!

obviously your mother was a bravest lady of this world and she never give up her goals which was the struggle for the poor people of this luckless county Pakistan. she was the great leader nor for the Pakistan but also for the rest world.

you should follow your mother in true litter spirit and give a change to this great country of Pakistan.

@Bilawal
Actions speak louder than words. Compare what you are saying to what has happened to this country in recent past. What could be worse than this? Everything is worse off and getting worse by the day. Recommend

Dear Bilawal, I know its neither the time nor the place to say this but many ideas like mobile phones, fibre optics and liberalisation of economy were conceived and initiated during the first, albeit forcibly truncated, term of Nawaz Sharif. It may be that some or parts thereof were completed during your mother’s time in office. The most important thing is she also believed the above to be pivotal towards ushering Pakistan into the 21st century but the “Dark Forces” never allowed the democratic process to continue hence the continuation of ongoing military supremacy over popular politics.
My soul still sheds tears of blood when her death anniversary arrives on the 27th of December each year. May she rest in peace and may her dream of “real” democracy be fulfilled sooner rather than later.

Hi, Mr. Bilawal, no doubt ur mother had done a lot for the country, she waz such a charismatic personality that v find a role model in her alwayz. My Allah give u strength to follow her foot steps n v wish u to come in power and make Pakistan a nation free from corruption, terrorism, n inflation.

ppp supporters r with u . we loved BB. we love u too. BIBI used to say that ”we r a fighters and fighters dont give up” . jiyalas at grass root r always die hard workers of ppp .make ur connection with the workers strong. only they will stand by u in the hour of trial. wish u all the best.

i was expecting that you will discuss her motherhood but you gave Mr.Zardari and Mr. Gillani point of view….its a good effort for your political career since few Pakistanis thinks you are out of touch with politics/current affair……

Similar emotional statements & speeches were made at the time of Benazir’s death & the people of Pakistan gave you a chance but look what have you done to the country? It is very easy to make such statements but do you really understand what a common man’s plight is in Pakistan? And how would you know? You do not even live in Pakistan, you have never been to the streets!

Your present government has failed so my advice to you my brother is that please do something for the people instead of making such emotional statements. Recommend

Dear Bilawal,
It was tragic that has happened with Bhutto family, most of the anti bhuttos in Pakistan are not going to understand that why establishment killed one by one all the heirs of Bhutto family, and brother I would like to advice you that never ever be afraid of these generals even if they are behind your life, your family has given blood to this nation and we know it is very difficult for anyone to do that for country but dear chairman remember one thing that change is neccessry and i would love to see you bring that change in our party and to get rid off those who are defaming PPP.

Being the son of a ex-prime minster, I was expecting that you would be expressing your feeling on behalf of the people of these countries. But, sadly it came clear that you only feel about yourself, and not about the nation. It would make us more happier if you decline to participate any more in the politics and bring an end to this dynastic politics.

Nice article Bilawal…I would like to see you following your maternal grandfather’s footsteps.

Are you considering joining PTI, since you as a youngster could learn a lot from Imran Khan considering he’s equally iconic as your mother ? It would be great to be groomed within the folds of PTI rather than be surrounded by the current PPP reps if you’d like to really know what people of Pakistan want. It would do you more good for holding a public office in the distant future. Looking forward to seeing your performance.

On the anniversary of your mothers death we can all sympathise and pray.But it doesnt earn you or any other family members automatic rights ,sorry.

Democracy is a great idea, but its implementation in pakistan is poor.

How about you work for a couple of decades as a party worker , then get elected as leader, based on merit.Thats how democracy works.

Imran khan may be politically naive , but doesnt have a history of corruption , and has worked hard to establish a cancer hospital and university.When you have these sorts of credentials, you will also be most welcome to throw your hat in the ring.

A brilliant article.She was the bravest leader like her father.
A true charismatic personality who managed so much with so little in her hands.
Even through so called “NRO” she managed to get this country democracy,but laid her life .
This nation got rid of Pervaiz Musharraf just because of her.Recommend

On a personal level I am sorry for his loss but political parties should not be the private properties of their leaders to be given out to their offspring. Frankly, it is insulting and disgraceful that without any consideration to merit Mr. Bilawal can inherit the so-called largest democratic political party in Pakistan.

Okay agreed , we all hail your mother but aprt from this fact you guys have been in power for the last four years and yet we see that this nation has overcome all the hurdles.It has become the developed from developing. Everything is in order specially the law. Everyone can walk on the roads, free from being deprived of their belongings. What a great nation we have become, everyone is so coalesced, that we haven’t seen it in years.

A Great Article if applied truely.I am great Fan of Zardari Since his first speech in Ghari Khudabux,after PPP came into power and strongly support all his political moves stating from Resistanance to Restoration of CJ through notification,and all subsequent politically wisely ,timely political moves to oppose non-democratic,evil forces to Destroy,Pack- up Democratically Elected govt through Judiciary,Media and other Conservative elements of our society.Carry-Up Zardari your Mission to destry or atleast contain THE EVIL FORCES to bearable limits,making Pakistan a Viable,Peaceful,Prosperous,Honourable Country As Per Vision of Qaid-e Azam.I hope Bilawal to follow her mother to make poor masses of Pakistan to achieve peaceful,happy,respectable life.

With your mother we all dared to dream, she symbolized hope for many of us, her death left us all bereft and leaderless, and your father, unfortunately, shattered all hope we ever had in PPP, so if u do decide to follow your mothers footsteps, you will have an onerous task because you do not have a father like your mother did. So you will enter politics with a big disadvantage…..I wish you all the best, and your mother was a GREAT woman, she is and always will be missed by all of us disillusioned PPP followers….I am as sad today as anyone whose close relative had died, she touched the hearts of millions with all that she stood for…I salute her….always have, always will.

well said..BBZ and I hope PPP under your leadership will once more gear up and strive hard to turn dreams of both BB and ZAB shaheed into reality..people of pakistan, young and old, will be with you in this struggle !

@Anonymous:
“Please think of poor people of country many of them loved your mother. To tell you small story how much people loved your mother. One person asked a begging woman whom you will vote “she said BB” the person told her that she has not given you even bread why are you voting for her. She replied that” God will give me bread not BB but I will vote for her.”

This attitude/school of thought epitomises what is wrong with the country.
BB policies and the PPPs policies are not poor helpful! They refuse to tax the elite, and spend nothing on the poor. Has education spending gone up in the current tenure of the PPP or even health.
Politicians are great at making claims but deliver nothing.

The logical thing for the women in the above story to say would be: BB has contributed nothing for the beterment for the poor, nor has Nawaz Sharif. It makes no difference who I vote for so why bother?

Travel through Pakistan covertly (like the ancient kings used to), and you will discover reality. Your article is ghost written from an ivory tower. You will also discover who the nation believes are the killers of your mother and her brother .

The level of kleptocracy being practiced by our politicians is unmatched in the world – and the latest PPP government has enhanced it to fatal levels. Too many parasites (all major political parties, including the army) sucking the life blood out of the host . This parasitic relationship can only be cut off by a revolution like that in France, China or Russia. Do not kid yourself – read some history.

Your grandfather, the savviest politician in the family, was responsible for saving Pakistan from the Agartala conspiracy, and the foreign agent Sheikh Mujeeb. He was also responsible for Pakistan’s first and only Constitution, acquiring nuclear capability (“we will eat grass”; for which he lost his life), and starting the Islamic Summit (for which King Faisal lost his life). Unfortunately, with his Napoleonic aspirations, he was also responsible for the destruction of Pakistan’s higher educational system, the Civil Service, and the work ethic of a generation Industrial workers. Overwhelmed, he invited his own appointed general Zia to take over in 1977; and was not “overthrown in a coup”. PM Gilani is also overwhelmed by incompetence, and wishes he is taken away by someone, so he can live to fight another day. The post ZAB members of the PPP have been a sad bunch of kleptocrats, with your father holding the Championship .

Your best chance of success will be to connect with the youth of Pakistan, stay grounded in reality, and seek to serve the national interest . History only honors people who serve others.Recommend

Try to get time of your v. busy schedule & read these columns. You will shock to know the majority of these are a charge sheet against your party & your father. This is a bitter truth.

You people have used this slogan “Democracy is the best revenge” to take revenge from poor people of Pakistan….We are so unfortunate that almost all leaders of our political parties think this country as their kingdom & we are their servants. SON/DAUGHTER after father… … How many hours have you spent in this country. What language you speak? There are hell of questions we can ask you & your father but you don’t have answers.. If you want to become a true leader then live in this country & spend your time like Rahul Ghandi at least. Live your life like a common man– Don’t try to come in power on the bodies of your mother and grand father.

The thing I’m loving is that all the comments against petty PPP and Bilawal have more than 100 recommendation at the very least and even 400+, but in favor very few.
It clearly says what people thing of you!Recommend

what else I could say Mr. Bilawal then that your party has let down the name, fame and hopes of you mother and Bhutto Sahab, yes it has totally let down. This government is heading no where, absolutly lost in a quigmire. This country needs change, change that has at last arrived in shape of PTI and Imran Khan. Pakistan Zindabad Recommend

People like such flowering words when such articles are published in the newspapers to read, but it is ext to impossible to implement and deliver what the politicians commits before the general elections takes place.

Bilawal it is nicely written article, not sure whether you wrote it, or some one else on your behalf. The truth is that you are too young to put your mother’s dream come true.

In Pakistan, the wind has started blowing in a different direction. Please go out of the Presidency and smell the fumes of the politics.

Mr Bilawal,
Your mother was a leader. But rest assured leadership is neither inheritance nor genetics. And remember, you are a Zardari first, a Bhutto later. So stop banking on the brand name of your mother. You have a right to be a leader just because your mother was assassinated in broad daylight? No sir, this is not a monarchy which passes inheritance from parents to children. And glorifying a past whose shadows have disappeared a long time ago is useless. I can also say my forefathers in Baghdad, Spain and Central Asia did bring the foundations of Renaissance period. That does not make me them.

Just to give more perspective to Bilawal. It has been reported that you availed a government helicopter just last week as you needed to get somewhere and the road was closed. Reason for road being closed ? People protesting against CNG/natural gas shortage.

Is this your vision for this country ? How is this democratic that the rulers enjoy privileges but the ordinary person does not even have basics of life.

Lastly, in what capacity exactly did you avail the government helicopter ? Are you a government functionary, a para medic or what ?

I am sorry but to earn my vote, you have to do some charitable work in the country and not just inherit a political party like a piece of family furniture. Your mother, who so eloquently, spoke about democracy missed something when she passed on PPP in her will. She however, removed any pretensions of being a true democratic.

Pakistan is not anyone’s jagir. It belongs to the nation i.e. Pakistani people. No one should have any illusions about having an automatic right to rule the country.Recommend

Nauseating. Dynastic politics at its worst. If we don’t stop this silly, dynastic, emotional crap, Pakistan will keep deteriorating. Can’t wait for the day when there are no Bhuttos, no Sharifs, no Khars, etc in politics. Go home and enjoy all the money [they had] looted from the country’ .Recommend

Dear Bilawal,
Pakistan is not so feeble that it was saved from ‘certain disintegration’ by the use of Kappay PAkistan slogan. Pakistan has had even worse heaped onto her before, most notably the 1971 debacle brought in part by the ‘udhar tum, idhar hum’ slogan. But she was a REAL leader and we do miss her.

“I will never give up on my mother’s Pakistan.” Bilawal, I hate to burst your bubble but you have already giving up on Pakistan by choosing to stay abroad. In order for you to be respected by the Pakistani masses, you will have to live in Pakistan and deal with the problems of Pakistan. Unfortunately, you only visit Pakistan during the holidays or on important Pakistani occasions. If you love Pakistan so much, why don’t you live there? For the most part, you remind Pakistanis of imported leaders like Lord Mountbatten and other Viceroys. For how long will you and your party cash in on the Bhutto name?

A very interesting article to target a specific audience who mainly support Imran Khan’s PTI. There is so much talk about what The Pakistan Peoples Party could not do but the bottom line is that they have not done it. The Pakistan Peoples Party is still in power but look where that has gotten us. To Bilawal, I say, talk is cheap. As for the rest of us, we shouldn’t get carried away with this ‘revolution’. It is not a revolution yet. It can be and I hope it will be, but right now it is just an idea in the making. Actions speak louder than words and any government which delivers on its promises will have my support.

Bilawal you are son of great mother who sacrificed and suffered to an extent which is rare in recent human history!! the ppl who follow ppp have witnessed the dedication and struggle in ages of desperate dictatorships when the privilleged ones bow before tyrrany. PPP is the one which all those 30 years kept the hope of democracy and freedom of expression alive. we are with you and president zardari in this fight for human rights in the face of vicious propaganda!

TO PTI FOLLOWERS… have to say one thing: never in the world.. even in islamis history corruption has been erradicated within 90 days which IK is promising to us Pakistanis…. we all have to ponder whether we are living in world of dreams beyond imagination!!!!!!

That’s a very beautiful tribute to your departed mother, Bilalwal. Much appreciated. One only wishes your father, who’s presently at the helm of affairs, translate your strong convictions into reality. Remember. History is an unforgiving taskmaster. If you fail on the people’s aspirations, someone else would arise from the blue to take your seat. There’s already wind of change blowing over the horizon. Imran. Recommend

BB’s sad and untimely demise 4 years ago was a tragic loss for the entire nation, Pakistan lost a great leader, a visionary and some one who was much ahead of her time. It saddens me even more that her legacy is tarnished by her own kin, the Pakistan Peoples Party that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto started and BB helped revive is now a complete reciprocal of what it used to be.The only tangible achievement of the current PPP government is that they have managed to stay in Power and off course big monies have been made Recommend

Dear Bilawal, Your mother’s death was a tragic incident in your personal life. Her party from then on has left no stone unturned in using it as fuel for a national calamity. Immediately afterward, the city of Karachi was awash with thugs and vandals. The city burned for days. I doubt that was your mother’s vision of grieving.

Feeling your pain, the people mandated your party to the government. The country’s exchequer from then on has become a free for all. Closer to home, there is a certain house in Clifton named after you. That house now encroaches the entire road carriageway in front of it. You might notice it if you ever come home. Can you please ask Daddy to release the land so that traffic can flow freely like it earlier used to?Recommend

@Farhan Gilgiti: dear Farhan Gigiti – you are showing much more wisdom than manyt posters over here .- and yet you are so young. I would agree with your suggestions – question is will they be put to practice ?

My sincerest condolences with the children of Benazir.
Having said that, her accomplishments listed are greatly exaggerated, and her and her party’s assets which increased more than a few fold were as usual ignored. Nepotism, corruption, secret alliances were the rule of the day. That “we are in government but not in power” has always been a tagline for PPP when unable to deliver. The majority of those 86000 schools mentioned, were ghost projects initiated by corrupt PPP workers under Benazir, who used that to funnel money into their own pockets. . I have immense respect for Zulfiqar and Benazir for some of the things they managed to do, and some of the projects they championned, but PPP has this way of whitewashing everything questionable and augmenting the achievements, just like it was done in this article.
One thing I do agree with Bilawal on: her face would have given immense hope to millions of women around the world, but sadly thats about it.Recommend

What is your opinion about your father mr. Chairman? I respect your mother, but your father has literally ruined our country. We dont want leaders who just make promises for ”roti kapra makaan”.. Go out in the streets. People are dying because they dont have the things YOU promised to give them. We chose you, we gave PPP a chance, we believed in you and you have disappointed us.
Anyways, may your mother get a high rank in jannah (aameen) and hope to see you following the dreams of your mother Recommend

Lol! seriously?
Also, no doubt your mother and your grandfather were great politicians but have you seen the current setup ? And since you are the chairman of the party, you have the power to make your party right which is also in the govt and power. If you can’t do that, it means you are weak.
secondly, I highly doubt that this article is written by you. Thirdly, we don’t give a damn if this country is ruled by a democratic govt or a dictator as long as we are provided with the basic necessities of life. Also, you don’t even live here, why do you care about it and what do you know about the problems. Last but not the least, what will you do of the democracy if there’s no country left. Current situation has made people inhumane.

I am sorry to say friend if you have the same mindset than Pakistani’s don’t need your leadership. Nara for Roti, Kapra and Makan is still there but the facts are different. You only need to go to streets to find facts not by sitting in UK or presidential palace. Recommend

and people who are giving Zardari the stick. It was parties YOU voted for that got him into this position. He was not elected by the people but by the parliament. Stop making Zardari the scapegoat for every thing that happens in this country.

Mr. Bilawal, you might be aware that just a single ministry in U.K would have had given their people more than the ‘Achievements’ you mentioned in the article. It would have been a balanced article had you also mentioned the harm your party has done to this country.

‘The democratic government, through the National Finance Commission Award and Eighteenth Amendment, gives the smaller provinces a stake in their country and a stake in their own resources, which under dictatorship were exploited by the centre, creating resentment against the federation’

is this how you explain the current treatment being meted out to Balochistan? and save the Huqooq-e-Balochistan package, it was never really implemented. and as for emptying out Shamsi airbase, the US only uses it for maintenance, why dont you try and gain a real achievement by stopping drone strikes?Recommend

Comments are far entertaining, relate able and honest then the bukwaas in the article! Started reading it thinking of being a heartfelt memoir by a son, turns out to be shoddy attempt at campaigning filled with outdated, unrealistic facts!strong text

I’ll not take hte trouble of reading the whole article..nor the flood of comments that seem to be there Nonetheless, like all Pakistanis who postulate from the comfort of their armchairs, I’ll say that this article is grossly misleading.

Mr Bhutto/Zardari, if this is supposed to be the fourth anniversary of your ‘mother’, you should have written about the family rituals that you had – like the weekly family dinner in dubai – or anecdotes about the sappy poetry and bad drawings that you (or the sisters) made for her..or the gift she gave you on her birthday…or even the last god-damn frikking memory you have of her…your last moments with her…(unless that is too private, which, too, would have been acceptable..)

I mean…you could have then gone on to harp about her ‘political genius’ even by seamlessly introducing it into the narrative through some anecdote about her meeting with global leaders and heavyweights where you were present..and how she floored them all.

Instead, you choose to make it a PR exercise – trying desperately to list her ‘achievements’; and selling yourself and your mother cheap in the process.

Please remember: its your prerogative to believe that this nation is full of idiots who have the added burden of being illiterate. And its probably true – proof being the democratic leaders we have elected time and again. However – and this is an important however – after decades of being fed the same cliche-ridden crap (like the article you spewed or had spewed) we have become discerning in this regard.

Had this article had an iota of ‘genuineness’, you could have gotten lots of brownie points. But you still have your immaturity and naivete to fall back upon…its a good excuse and we are a forgetful people. Please remember this on the fifth anniversary.

Honestly I am not a big fan of Bilawal. I am sure that he did not even write this article, given the fact that alot of the info has been copied from a certain MP.
The fact is this individual who talks about understanding the plight of the poor people of Pakistan has in truth never experienced the harsh realities that today many Pakistanis face in the form of Gas, Power, Water Load-shedding. The Rail, PIA, our industries in Faisalabad are destroyed. Inflation has crippled the nation.
Here is to “Democracy is the Best Revenge”, May this Govt be held accountable for there horrid deeds.

Bilawal – I have an utmost respect for ZAB and BB. Both were great leaders and the loss is still excruciating. I have supported PPP for my entire life and my whole family is – or I should say “was” – a hard core PPP follower. But you know my strong belief is that you will follow your father’s footsteps and will run over the respect your grandfather and mother has achieved in this country. Let me suggest you that you stay out of our country. Your father has already plundered this country too much that we are under a debt of billions of dollars. We do not want a person who holds Pakistani passport just because one day he/she will come and run for an election and doesn’t even have a single clue of the issues Pakistan’s nation is going through with. You can’t even speak Urdu – our national language. How would you even communicate with you an illiterate person living in a rural area? How would you even understand their problem given that you’ve never lived in Pakistan?

Please DO NOT bank on your mother and/or grandfather’s achievements.

We need a change – a real change, not a face change. If you are sincere with Pakistan, please come and meet with real people and not with those that your party workers actually stage for you. Bring a change in party structure and let common people run an election – unlike Leghari, Magsi, Bhutto, Shah, Wasan and such illiterate people.

You serious? Foreign investment qudroupled, energy production doubled? You seriously aren’t a leader of Pakistani people and you can’t be like your mom ever. Do one thing, ask your dad to get the murderers behind thebars and get a better ghos writer next time. You know nothing of this country Recommend

our sympathies are there as you lost your mother but to be very much honest despite of being given couple of chances,you failed to come up to the expectations of pakistani nation.you dodged us everytime you came into power,left our banks bankcrupt,introduced different forms of crisis i.e poverty,energy,law and order etc.what we need now is a CHANGE.we dont want to see the old political horses anymore.we cant expect anymore from you people.my request to all pakistanis that please realise the value of your votes in the upcoming elections…use it to bring a change otherwise we gonna loose our motherlands soon.its we who have to protect it!!

I didn’t even bother to read what you wrote, in fact probably the information ministry jotted it down for you. All I know is you guys are only good for celebrating birthdays and death anniversaries, that’s all you do. I’m spent listening to your whining about your deceased, they’re gone, good or bad, God will decide. Talk about today. Address my issues. Stop living in the past.

Your father and his entire government has been using the punjabi meaning of khappay and not the sindhi meaning. Your father’s government has made the rich in Pakistan richer and the poor so poor that people are resorting to self immolation and other means of suicide as they are unable to provide for themselves and their families. Instead of creating jobs and prosperity for its people, state owned enterprises have been run aground. Pakistan Steel Mills was a profitable organization before the current setup came to power, today it is reeling with huge losses and needs a massive bailout to save thousands of jobs.

Have a look around you. Oh! Wait a sec, you’d see Kensington and Harrod’s etc if you had a look around or possibly Emirates Hills! You need to be in Pakistan if you are so concerned about Pakistan and its people. You can’t even empathize with the people of this nation let alone speak their language.

It is time for change, a change that will overthrow the corrupt feudal lords and bring in leaders from the people for the people. I suggest you listen to Faiz’s “Hum dhekhengay”.

Can’t speak Urdu; Can’t spend time in Pakistan; Has no clue what ordinary Pakistani’s are going through — and still wants to be our leader.

Mr. Bilawal, please forgive your mother and grandfather and above all the Pakistani public. The only shiny buidling in Garhi Khuda Baksh is the tomb of your ancestors. More money is spent on dead people then the living in that city. Do you have no shame when you walk through the the dirty streets of Larkana or Garhi Khuda Baksh? Definitely not, otherwise you would not the audacity to ask for our votes again.

just read few lines,”she did this she did that”.unfortunately she did not do anything for the betterment of the society.she had the great oppertunity and support of the masses but did not live up to the expectations.as a person i have got nothing against her,may god bless her soul.

This is the concept of The Messiah of Islam Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. To be so selfless that one submits to God what is God’s own at the hands of the sinners that are enemy of our own and still pray God save the country that killed her.
People say, If you saved Pakistan, why dont you save yourself. And I say, saving myself is not my mission. [The Spirit of The Saviour]

Grandpa Bhutto divided the country,
Mama Bhutto wanted Power so she signed NRO,
Papa Zardari wanted Money so he robbed the country 10% at a time,
Baby Bhutto now wants Power and Money to continue the legacy.

Being a foeign quaified Pakistani,would you comment on having the Chairmanship of Pakistan,s biggest political party without any political work contributed towards it. Is,nt it a negation to democracy?

bilawal, as chairman its your duty to get a reality check please and stop rampant corruption initiating honest inquiries including your family cases. Then I will believe in what you say or write!!! Sorry about your mother, RIP.

In real democracy,leaders are elected,in fake democracy they are selected.I still don’t understand the logic of your being the Chairman of PPP,you’ve got just one vote from your mother.I think it’s an insult to the the members of the party & the people.People wouldn’t like to be fools anymore.The wind has has been blowing allover the world,the old shacks have been falling down.Recommend

I want to write alot of comments & Questions may be never ending……to challenge all what you are saying……but i know that it useless………..but my advice to you is…….when your are writing something in English it means audience will be educated Pakistani Class who are well aware of PPP histroy & achievements………not some-one who has only political affiliation to your party or living on Benazir Income support program or some Hari from ghari Kuda baksah sacrificing animals at your ancestor’s Tomb……&….Pakistani Educated Class is FEED-UP from your Promises & Dreams……..show something on ground???????……Have a nice day

Note: I donot hate PPP or belongs to any political party & would ask the same question from other Political Parties……

The press was only given complete freedom by Mr Musharaf. Its said that Im saying this but Id rather have an educated dictator than vote for any of the major political parties, specially PPP.

I won’t pick on the whole article piece by piece. Many before have done that already. All I ll say is the words written for Bilawal are a far cry from the realities of Pakistan. You ve been at College for the last 5 years. And have hardly lived in Pakistan. What qualifies you to be our leader. All these numbnuts crying for you as our leader. Seriously? What wrong with our “educated” class.

You cannot inherit their (ZAB and BB) greatness. You must work for it. In another 15 years time when you have proved your self then….maybe. But for now, please neither insult our intelligence nor play with the emotions of your die-hard ZAB and BB followers.

The PPP and PML have had their chance and rubbished it. Pakistan should have been at par with India or South Korea and you are deluded that our country had done well. A shame.

“Democracy is the best revenge”? Seriously? Didn’t you inherit the leadership of a political party four years ago?
PPP had several opportunities to change things and yet in 2011 we are in situation worst than ever.
Asif Ali Zardari used to be nicknamed Mister 10% when Benazir Bhutto was prime minister, he is now nicknamed Mister 110%. Cases are still pending…
If playing the victims is the best role you can play for Pakistan, then now is time to retire and enjoy the Chateau-lige in France.

reallyyy??? what good has PPP govt brought to Pakistan?!!! all u people do is emotionally blackmail illetrate people of villages with this “shaheed” title to get votes…get over it! Moreover, current govt is considered the worst govt of Pakistan and now pakistani youth is well aware, and this is why they support PTI……RIP PPP!!! (PS:dont waste your life in politics Bilawal, PPP has raged a war against itself by breaking all records of mismanagement and corruption).

How can a leader, who returned to Pakistan only after she signed NRO and got all the cases against her being dropped by a dictator be the best leader in the history of Pakistan? Unfortunately, dictators have been much better leaders than our democratically elected governments, with the exception of Zia Recommend

you are right 100 % but need not to come back as you will now not be able to correct the damages ALREADY done to Pakistan. A great passion is required to correct now . you will be new commer as you lived most of time out side Pakistan.
you can not now solved the problems with words, it need honest and dedicated leader like BB and ZAB not you.Recommend

as someone mentioned above this article is probably written by haqqani or some other hired person……

Bilawal please judge the situation with a fresh mindset versus covering up PPP , zardari or the government flaws…..dont take credit away from musharraf atleast for the good work he did………..let me remind u about the rental power projects , the submarine scandals , murtaza’s killing , Concatna case , accumulation of wealth by your father via unfair means etc etc

There can never be another BB…there is no one like her..and there is no one who can think like her no matter what,and there is no one who can do what she would have wanted to….but what a shame the present govt has done nothing,and it was very sad to see how Mr President lied on BB’s death aniversary to the people of Pakistan that 80% of the PPP manifesto has been achieved and delivered.I am sorry I or any other Pakistani cannot see it.This government is the biggest failure in the history of Pakistan.As for democracy,the word is used to justify the flaws of this government.Where they dont deliver they say we have brought democracy.A lay man doesnt want this democracy and starve to death and see his kids starve to death…..There can never be another Benazir …but as for this PPP government..shame shame

Benazir’s murder was tragic. You have the nation’s sympathies. But much more than that, I mourn the countless innocent civilians kidnapped, raped, or killed that day by PPP workers and fans out of a gesture of “mourning”.

Has it ever occurred to you that this country is not your family’s private property? Sure she has done some good work, but just because she was murdered (by whom? oh yeah, we still don’t know that) does not mean she was never corrupt. The Bhutto brand has been used to exploit the uneducated masses for long enough. We have had enough of your incompetence and corruption. Out you go now. PPP’s time is up.

It’s truly amazing how brainwashing can defeat the purpose of all those years of quality education. You’re a victim of your own family as well, and again, you have the nation’s sympathies.

“normal citizen of Pakistan”?? Seriously? Do you know who he is? His father is spending 26 crore rupees on remodelling of the kitchen in the President House, in a country where most of the people live below the poverty line. They are not normal. They are the select few who enjoy life at the expense of the masses.

Zardari has destroyed it badly, who will vote him or you next??? atleast i wont, my neighbor wont or my family also wont waste thr votes…
we are sindis but we wont waste our votes on people like your father, and you are his son.

Imran Khan is the last hope. I hope he will get a chance to win this time. Amen! no more bhutto family. Bilawal Zardari I am sure your swiss accounts are enough for the rest of your life now… say bye bye to politics, we dont want corrupt politicians :)

I cant believe these people who are calling this Kid Savior and Leader. What has he done anyways except his mother was a good leader and father the most corrupt and vile person in Pakistan. He hasnt even lived in Pakistan to know what people think.

Please wake up people and stop playing into this generational hand down of leadership . We need to get rid of Zardari’s Bhutto’s Sahrifs Chaudry’s and all those people that have been given enough chances already.

ITS a long way to go before the promises made by your Grandfather and mother can be fufilled !!………the present government hasnt done enough to alleviate the greiviances of the people of Pakistan !!….i really hope Bilawal that one day you will return to Pakistan to serve your country and to fulfill your promise to your mother !!

Your party came in the power with the help of USA (NRO) and through a deal with a dictator, and your party and leaders have made the most of all the corruption opportunities available (you guys have introduced a new phenomenon like entrepreneurship i.e. corruptopreneurship, meaning, create new opportunities for corruption). Kis mounh say Pakistani awam aur insaf ki baat kartay ho (sorry for writing in roman Urdu, please ask Gillani to translate it for you).

Why your words (if they are really yours) reflect hate of jihadists but are silent on the terrorism USA has spread, for decades?? (saari support USA say milti hai kia!!)

Please live in UK and let the people of Pakistan (who’ve spent their lives here) lead the nation. Sorry, the only tag of being a son of BB is not enough to prove yourself worthy enough for a chance to lead this nation. Aap to Bhutto bhi 2 number ho as you are Zardari.

@Jamshed Baghwan:strong textnobody can follow the footsteps of previous generation, strong textTIME CAN NOT BE ROLL-BACK, EVERY GENERATION HAS TO ACT ACCORDING TO GROUND REALITIES OF GEO-POLITICO-ECONOMY.

Your Mother was really great leader; she gave encouragement to Pakistani Nation. Being a Sindhi I felt mourning her assassination and we shall always remember Bhutto Family’s sacrifices for nation. Unfortunately current PPP government cross all limits of corruption, every person has crossed all type of boundaries of corruption. People are crying they are hopeless from current tenure of PPP government due to high profile corruption………..!!?

Bilawal Sahib, I understand your pain. Losing a parent at such a young age is traumatic and yes she did do a lot for the country however, I do take offence to your calling Pakistan your mother’s country. Who are you then? arnt you a Pakistani? can you not take ownership of it out of pure patriotism/nationalism??? How you treat it like a piece of your jaidad that you inhertied from your Mother instead of BEING a Pakistani. You will near be able to lead unless you feel like you belong. Stand up…be a man…the man your Mother would want you to be and BE a Pakistani Recommend

Sorry to say, the easy is completely hypothetical. Bil, I don’t remember that poor flourished in any of PPP government. In the last thirty years we haven’t seen any leader who could represent 98% of Pakistani people. I waiting for the moment when all those who ruled Pakistan, for the last twenty years, are rejected by by 98% poor people. You need to learn who to serve 98% and for that, I personally suggest, to step down from the so called Chair-person position of PPP and go to the gross-root of 98% people.

Bilawal I am sorry for your loss – and the way your mother died. I feel sorry for all the other human lifes which was wasted that day and under the government of your parents.Bilawal you have been living in a comfortable parallel world and have only been told the stories most children want to hear about their parents. I feel sorry for you – you have really been brainwashed big time – if you really want some good for Pakistan then take those Bhutto glasses of, take a walk in the Pakistani streets, talk to normal people oh my mistake I forgot you do not speak the native language, please try the collective transport, experience the long low shedding, old PPP people telling you all of these fairy tales and look again in which condition the country is?? Pakistan is bleeding Pakistan is in pain. Pain is not an emotion patented by the Bhutto´s/Zardari´s . This is real human!!! Your parents had the chance to actually do something and they wasted this chance – only not wasted they have participated to doom this country. I guess the words democracy, nepotism, corruption, independent judiciary have not really been explained to you.

Dear Bilawal ! Four years back, you very enthusiastically quoted your mother, “Democracy is the best revenge”. Since you were elusive about likely target of revenge, it was assumed that you meant ‘revenge from the dictators or the military establishment or even military-judiciary nexus which had previously connived with each other for perpetuation of dictators’ rule. Now, after four years of ‘democracy’, the only victims of revenge seem to be the masses who are suffering due to absence of governance, mismanagement, deprivation, non-availability of basic necessities of life and, most importantly, uncertainty about their future. If the things continue as they are, the ‘state of Pakistan’ may become the victim of this revenge. I am sure, when your mother uttered the words “Democracy is the best revenge”, she neither meant the kind of democracy our nation is witnessing today nor intended the Pakistani masses to be the targets of revenge.